Bakhmut

Use. Abuse. Obtuse.

Hi friends, I am happy to share with you another deeply experimental work that I've created in collaboration with Jo Richter a.k.a. Sonic Structures and Silent Stretches @sonic-structures and Stonerjazz/Jeff @user-911083679

Jo composed an epic long-form poem called 'Departure' that is broken up into 13 'cantos'. He invited me and Jeff to work with him on converting the poetry into a series of musical soundscapes and this is the first resulting mix from me, that is built on top of a track that Jeff produced and released recently: https://soundcloud.com/user-911083679/canto-vi-jeff-unrulywav

Perhaps fittingly, we decided to start in the middle, with 'Canto VI'. Jeff's version contains a full reading of the poem, which gets somewhat buried in my version of the mix. Layered on top of this, I pulled out key passages from the reading, and used them to continue experimenting with splicing and (software) tape manipulation techniques that I've been developing lately. In addition to Jeff's musical backdrop and Jo's spoken word, the rest of the mix is built upon field recordings taken by Jo that I chopped up to create rhythmic/percussive elements which I think add some interesting color and texture. 

Thanks for joining us on this wild ride! If you find this track interesting, then please keep an eye out for future installments in the series. They will be compiled here: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-textures/sets/departure-a-long-poem-in

Here is the full text of Departure - Canto VI, the inspiration for this track: 

Canto VI

This spire, she continued, is but the lasting remnant
of a cave. The very first one to be adorned with ochre
drawings. The very first one in which olorine bone
was carved to sound a flute. All the surrounding
land has sunken since that golden age – but for this
place. Here, Apollo handed the lyre to Orpheus.
A spire now, it has been maintained by entertaining
visitors ike you and by hosting muses like myself.

Now, she pursed her lips, we live in utter confusion.
The inside protrudes like a lofty spire while
the outside caves in like a poet‘s drawer. It is
the epoch of the common, shared arts withdrawing.
The innards of ideologies chaperoning fervent
industries are digesting all there is, all life, all things. 
Consumption prevails; generation has to retreat
to clandestine niches, obscure, barely beheld.

These are tough times for poets, for artists, for
fragile senses and minds. Still, the spire prevails.
Why, do you think, that is? - He felt his breath soften
as he replied: I do apologize for mistaking you,
the first listener and co-creator of art. You are the one
who heard the song Orpheus sang. It was selfish to
think of you as a muse, relating only to me, my art. 
You have listened to the spire and you did understand.

That is how things used to be, she sighed. The poet served,
as you have learned before, those who live to listen well.
He endured the toil of art, they enjoyed the foils of art.
Then the concept of the muse – all upside-down – was
deviously formed to aid the annihilation of the awkward art.
Now that you are aware of this, you soon will have to
leave, as you well know. You have received the only gifts
that this place has to offer, which are a story and some rest.

Is there a way to stay, he asked? I do not want to
compose mixed-up poems in a jumbled-up world. This is
what you are wont to perform, she insisted. But will
I be able to take to shelter when exhaustion takes
over my senses, he asked? You won‘t, she replied,
this is how you serve and die, as any living poet does.
A matter of trust and choice of environment cannot
be settled by impersuasive evasive manoeuvres

Jumbled-Up World (Departure Mix 1): a reimagining of Jo Richter's Canto VI poem, ft. Stonerjazz

This is a song I'm very proud of because it's a musical family photo of the first time my son Marshall and I ever played string instruments together. He had just turned 9, and had only been playing the fiddle for about two months. I told him to hit an open D and the E for four beats of two measures, only I didn't say it like that. I just played it for him and he was able to keep a good rhythm for about four minutes! Originally, this song was just him on violin and me on mandolin, but I went back and added some bass, too. I really hope you enjoy my Fathers Day treat. I told him I'd let him know how many people listened to it, and show him the comments. He's come a long way since then, about 7 months ago, but this recording is very special to me, and I really wanted to share it with my SoundCloud family. Thank you so much for giving it a listen, and happy Fathers Day to everyone who is or has a father!

First Ever Marsy-Daddy Fiddle Mando Jam

*** VIDEO NOW ON YOUTUBE ***
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNHINzt6-ds

^v^  HIGH ON A MOUNTAIN  ^v^
---------------------------------------------

Hey Babe!  What brings you here when so many seasons have gone & disappeared?
Thousands of suns & moons have drifted out of touch!
So are you gonna tell me now, we've really changed that much?

We were high on a mountain and we thought that we could fly
When the whole wide world was wondrous
Can we hold on to that time?
We were high upon a mountain and we thought that we could fly!

We all have a story and we've found our way
But are we still the people that we once were, today?
So tell me, tell me now - what, what do you see?
Do you see the angel you always saw in me?!

We were high on a mountain and we thought that we could fly!
When the whole wide world was wondrous
Can we hold on to that time?
We were high up on a mountain and we thought that we could fly!

Pretty boy you've got silver hues now!
Distinguished eyes distinguish truth...
Did your wings grow wide?
Did you fly again?
Did you touch the sky - did your dreams transcend?

What's your poison Babe? What have I missed?
Do you set the stage to show your hand or will we reminisce?

We were high on a mountain and we thought that we could fly!
When the whole wide world was wondrous - can we hold on to that time? 

Davenport/Moir

High On A Mountain

Brand New Collaboration with the Man that is Lou Osiavo https://soundcloud.com/user-659662265
He really hit my heart with this amazing track , i knew i had to write with him on this. The ultra talented artist who has many aliases , IPG , Level One Up , you get the picture , go give him some love.
Lyrics:-
Now is all we've got and
For now 
We're Present
Wow It's such a concept
That now
Is this moment

Now is all we have
And now is over
Now is all we have
And now is over

"WHEN" is just a flicker
Of light 
My friend
"THEN" is just a glimmer
of hope 
Again

Now is all we have
And now is over
Now is all we have
And now is over

Lou Osiavo & winkandwoo 2023

Now Is Over

Now Is Over - Lou Osiavo & winkandwoo

We'll never know ;-) ............. Original track, all instruments by me.
Solos blown on Akai EWI with Northern Trumpet (VGtrumpet) and Vital VST ...
Illustration by Omar Sahel, Lyon/France on Pixabay

Event Horizon

Written and Performed by Josh McAlexander

Get me to Gloryland (Original)

This track represents the feeling of someone who knows that his time on earth is done.

Last Goodbye

all instruments by me, real guitar & sax, brass via breath controller !
... I always find titles for pieces like this very arbitrary. Each image creates a different context - here I was inspired by "Ices" for the title :-) ... and if you look at it carefully, you can walk into it :-D
photo: Library of Congress on unsplash

Frozen moments

Cynical song about the "Correctional System".

Go to Your Room

Thanks for visiting my page. All original and traditional tracks are downloadable. God Bless